Recently, I joked with someone that my daughter (who’s 3) wasn’t going to know what to think when she started school. I said I feared she wouldn’t be hailed as the smartest, cutest, funniest little girl there. And then I laughed. (But I was only half-joking.)

At our house, we dole out the praise in droves. You told a (lame) knock-knock joke? That was hilarious! You drew a stick person? What a masterpiece! You put on an ordinary sundress? No one’s ever looked more gorgeous!

My husband and I don’t aim to be over-the-top in our responses to our girls; it’s just natural. It overflows from hearts that are head-over-heels in love. To us, our three- and one-year-old little girls truly are the funniest, prettiest and most talented that have ever lived.

But then, I figure most parents feel the same about their kids. But not all of them clap, celebrate and praise each tiny accomplishment. They don’t always even notice them. I’ve been in crowds and noticed other moms who didn’t notice their child’s brave leap from a swing or cool new dance move. And I wonder who’s more normal. Them -- politely engaged in conversation and duly taking a mental break from Mom Land. Or me -- also engaged, but with one eye on my kids and one arm in the air cheering them on. Though I probably should, I just can’t check out. It makes me cringe to think of my kids learning a new trick or trying something new, then looking to Mom for approval and not finding it. I want to always be their cheering section.

I know why I’m like this... I get it from my mama.

To this day, she is my biggest fan in the world. I put up a blog post I’m rather fond of? She’s the first to comment and share it on Facebook. I buy a new outfit? She notices and genuinely compliments me. And the only reason I haven’t landed a top-level dream job? Obviously, because I haven’t applied for it!

My mom and dad have always made me feel like I was endlessly talented, smart and beautiful -- and that I could truly conquer the world if I tried. You may conclude that I grew into a spoiled, narcissistic adult… I would politely disagree.

In a society where bullying and humiliation are the norm, along with airbrushed and surgically-enhanced models, girls are made to feel anything but perfect. To counteract the culture, I’ve concluded that parents can’t build up their children too much. As an adult, I know full-well what my flaws are, and I’ve got just as many as the next person. But because my talents and strengths were always emphasized, I’ve grown into a confident, secure woman whom you cannot break with a harsh word or sly remark.

And so, that’s what I’ll keep doing for my girls. I’ll build ‘em up, build ‘em up, build ‘em up. And when they fall, I’ll build ‘em up some more. There’s a whole word out there to overlook them, undermine them, and tear them down.

When they look back at Mom, I want them to see one thing: a cheering section.

For the month of May, Little Rock Family invited Arkansas mom bloggers to share their Mother's Day memories, stories and lessons. Read more about Kelcie and her small-town life full of big love at her blog, ThisBeautifulInheritance.com. And visit us again next week for more Mommy Buzz!